|
June
Father's Day
Father's Day is a day that is to represent the best
that fathers or father figures like myself
represent. Since I have no biological children of
my own or sons, I often feel left out. However, my
wonderful girlfriend/partner of 10 years always
gives me a Father's Day card, as she acknowledges
all the boys, adolescents and men that I've
mentored over 20 years "doing men's work".
Providing individual, and group therapy for
adolescent boys and men over all these years has
been very healing for not only the boys and men but
also for me as well. This is why I started in this
specific area of therapy, i.e., to heal my
childhood wounds from my father and family of
origin; however, over the last several years, the
focus has been exclusively for the men and boys who
need this healing far more than I do. It's a gift
to be sufficiently well healed to devote my time
and energy to them.
Another way that I have helped these boys and
men has been through almost 20 years of involvement
with a powerful organization, the Mankind Project
which is an initiation rites of passage weekend
that helps men feel good about being men. There are
ongoing groups after the weekend experience.
Likewise, there is an equivalent weekend for
boys(11-17).
These boys become "J-men" and continue with
ongoing support groups lead by Adult men.
J-men means that they are no longer boys, nor
are they adult men yet. Many men like me serve as
mentors to boys and adult men. These men are
father figures even without the benefit of being
biological fathers.
The commitment of biological fathers to raising
healthy, loving; responsible sons and citizens or
mentors, like myself or others, who devote their
time and energy to being role models to boys and
adolescents is one of the most overlooked aspects
of Father's Day. What is lost is the true essence
of this day, instead of the commercialism of
department sales or father day cards with pictures
of fishing rods and nature scenes. Honoring men
"who step up" to make a real difference in the
lives of young boys and men--whether biolgical
fathers or father figures/mentors-- is what
Father's Day should really represent and
honor!
©2009, Michael
Shaffran
* * *
Mike
Shaffran is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and
Psychotherapist with over 30 years experience in
the mental health profession. He's worked most of
his time in outpatient Psychiatric clinics where he
has provided individual, couples/marital, family
and group therapy. He is trained in multiple
therapies, including: Psycho-dynamic,
Gestalt,Structural-Strategic Family, Solution
focused, Brief Therapy, and other methods. He is
trained in EMDR ( a type of therapy for PTSD),
hypnosis, meditation and guided imagery also. Mike
is committed to ongoing seminars, workshops and
trainings to keep current with the latest therapy
to provide the best services possible to his
clients. www.sanluisobispotherapy.com
or E-Mail
Contact
Us |
Disclaimer
| Privacy
Statement
Menstuff®
Directory
Menstuff® is a registered trademark of Gordon
Clay
©1996-2023, Gordon Clay
|
